Yvonne and Quinten
I feel I have been a little remiss as one of my goals with this interview series over the past three years has been to highlight up-and-coming illustrators, who are not yet published but whom I want to get on your radar. I am also doing my best to invite more non-American illustrators over the next few months to broaden our perspective. So today I am very happy to introduce you to a fellow 12X member and FB friend, Yvonne Mes.
[JM] Illustrator or author/illustrator? If the latter, do you begin with words or pictures?
Author/ illustrator, I usually begin with words, though wordless picture book ideas start as a bunch of sketches. If I start with words and feel that I would like to illustrate this story then the sketches and words start influencing each other.
[JM] Where are you from and how has that and/or where you have lived/visited influenced your work?
I am from Amsterdam, the Netherlands and moved to Australia as young adult. I lived in a small country mining town in the vast outback of North-West Qld for over a decade until I could no longer stand it and had to get back to city life. I now live in Brisbane. I love diversity in cultures, in art and maybe that is why I appreciate many forms of art, and illustrations.
[JM]Tell us a little of your beginnings and journey as an artist.
My parents took my brother and me to many Art museums in Amsterdam and Europe, from modern art to the impressionists, and I loved these visits, so I had an interest in art from an early age. My dad took up visual arts as an adult and would let me use his materials. When I took a break from my early childhood profession 5 years ago, I enrolled in a full-time visual arts course, and it is one of the best thing I have ever done.
[JM] Did I mention that I have lived in Amsterdam? Love the city! Do you have a preferred medium to work in?
It has changed from acrylic, to oils, digital and now I love experimenting with watercolor pencils and ink. I love the feel of charcoal.
[JM] Do you have themes or characters you return to in your art?
My family, especially my three sons, I do a lot of boy illustrations and images – but mainly I am all over the place and haven’t really developed a theme or character yet.
[JM] What does your workspace look like?
[JM] Can you share a piece or two with us, maybe of a WIP, and the process of creating them?
Most illustrations start with a loose sketch and then I develop it from there.
Hmm, I have never documented the process of a piece, though it is something I would like to do more of. I’ll see what I can find.
Ahab – character sketch
[JM] What sort of picture books do you like? (quirky, wordless, quiet……..)
I am extremely eclectic in my picture book tastes: I love a good story but I am always first drawn to the illustrations. I am in awe of author/illustrators and at the moment. I get very excited when I see a picture book that is slightly darker or edgier, Dillweed’s Revenge, by Florence Parry Heide for example really hits the spot, and those illustrations by Carson Ellis are just gorgeous and fun!
[JM] What organizations/groups do you belong to help further your career?
Probably too many!
Book Links Inc.Write Links (Brisbane Children’s Writers)
BIG (Brisbane Illustrator Group)
QWC (Queensland Writer’s Centre)
ASA (Australian Society of Authors)
Doodle Day/ 52 week challenge (Fun illustration challenges on Facebook)
[JM] What art do you have hanging in your apartment?
My children’s art, my own art, my father’s art, art by Australian Indigenous artists from Mornington Island. My grandparents had many paintings displayed in their house which my grandfather collected over his lifetime and each family member was instructed to pick a painting after they would pass. I now have one of their painting in a special spot in my house. I also have some reproductions of Paul Gaugain and Henri de Toulouse Lautrec.
Five Fun Ones to Finish? [JM] What word best sums you up?
Argh.
[JM] If you could live anywhere for a few months, where would you go?
New York
I hope that is my bad influence?! 😀
[JM] What’s your go-to snack or drink to keep the creative juices flowing?
Coffee
[JM] Cats or dogs?
Cat
Pip!
[JM] Which literary bad guy do you like the most?
Magneto
[JM] Had to look Magneto up! Where can we find/follow you and your work?
My web/blog: www.yvonnemes.weebly.com
Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/yvonnemesauthor
Twitter: @YvonneCMes
Yvonne, thanks so much for sharing some of your journey with us today and to your success!
In my 20's, with only my guitar and a rucksack, I wandered the continents, immersing myself in the lives of some wonderful people, projects and stories, which changed the way I view my responsibility to others and this earth. Right now I'm a European transplant in the US who writes books for children and young adults. Stories can help us not only navigate our world but can connect us to others, and allow us to inspire and help each other. I believe that equity and empathy should be at the core of our all actions, words, and stories.
I am also a school librarian and I get a kick out of book-matchmaking! And I use the pronouns she/her.
One of my favorite illustrators (and favorite people!) Thanks so much for the interview, Joanna! 🙂
I am so happy to showcase Yvonne’s talent!
Love your artwork Yvonne! Your work space looks a lot like mine! 😀
The studio feels full of life, doesn’t it, Meg?
Thanks for your nice words, Meg! Does that include the children’s toys on the desk, Meg? If it is not covered in books, it is covered in toys 🙂
Great interview! I love your sons’ artwork on your wall, Yvonne!
Yup, love Quinten’s pics!
I’ll let him know Tina 🙂 If he is not dancing or singing he is drawing or gluing something!
LOVE seeing the workspace. And “argh” – haha! Yvonne, you are truly unique as a person and an artist, and you have my admiration on both counts. So great to see Ahab coming alive. Thanks for featuring Yvonne, Joanna!
I do want to know more about Ahab, that’s for sure!
Thanks, Renee. Ahab is having a rest, but watch out he will come back with a vengeance!
Really enjoyed learning more about Yvonne and her artwork. Constantly in awe of the multi-talented people in 12×12!
It is such fun getting to know others better, right?
Thanks so much, Wendy. I have met the most inspiring and talented people in 12×12!
Great post, Yvonne and Joanna! It was very fun to see an illustration from Ahab’s story. Pip is so cute! If you come to New York, please tell me! And my favorite part – the word you chose to sum you up: Argh! I’m going to have to steal that 🙂
Yes, Yvonne wins the prize for most unique one-word-self-summation!
Thanks, Susanna. Ahab has undergone a few transitions since you last saw him 🙂 And I would LOVE to go to New York and share some sweet goodies with you and Joanna! But it may have to wait quite a few years! Argh!
Leuk om dit interview te lezen Yvonne.veel dingen komen mij bekend voor.
Dank je wel voor jouw aanmoediging, John!
Ha John,
Al die musea bezoeken, en kastelen en tuinen. Veel goede herinneringen aan die fantastische vakanties met zijn allen.
Yay! Yvonne in the spotlight! I would love to hear more stories from the rural years in the ‘vast outback’ – picture book stories of course!
I so agree, Julie, some walkabout stories would be cool.
Thanks Julie, I try not to remember them 🙂 I had a lot of good times there but it was quite an adjustment from city life to the outback. So glad to be back in a city.
Thanks for sharing, Joanna and Yvonne. I always learn something new in these interviews, even though we interact a lot. I foresee great things for you, Yvonne.
Thanks for looking in your magic ball, Sylvia!
Thanks, Sylvia, I love doing these interviews.
Magneto is AWESOME!!! 😛 Great interview! 😀
Glad you appreciate Magneto, Erik! My favorite good guy/ girl is Storm, though Wolverine is pretty awesome too 🙂
Thanks again Joanna, for thinking of me when diversifying your Illustrator Interviews. I feel really honored. <3 Hardstikke bedankt!
You are so welcome. I will be watching your career as it progresses!
So nice to get into your world, Yvonne. Those illos are wonderful! I’ve visited Brisbane it is a great city to walk around. Thanks, Joanna!
Delightful interview and so much fun to see your WIP for Ahab. It’s beautiful! Pip is the cutest ever!
Thanks, Yvonne and Joanna!